The best beaches in Punta Cana
The best beaches in Punta Cana, and the surrounding area, also happen to be some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. Soft white sand, swaying looping palm trees, and water so mesmerising its barely describable.
There’s no shortage of options, but to help you get the most from your Dominican Republic vacation here’s our collection of the best of the best beaches in Punta Cana, and its nearby surrounding shores. And should you decide to make a visit here’s our guide to the best hotels in Punta Cana too.
The beaches in Punta Cana, and along the coast of the Dominican Republic, are so spectacular a host of A-list celebrities reportedly choose to vacation here, including Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, and the Kardashians to name drop just a few.
Punta Cana is on the eastern coast which faces the Atlantic Ocean. We’ve selected some of the most highly-praised – and instagrammed – beaches from this popular vacation destination, which is also home to some of the best luxury resorts on the island, plus a handful of truly spectacular beaches on tiny tropical islands and off the south coast which faces the calmer waters of the Caribbean Sea.
These are some of the best white sand beaches in the world. The type of shorelines that can’t possibly live up to the hype of the travel brochure, Instagram picture or travel magazine shot – and then they far exceed all expectations in real life.
The Dominican Republic is a vibrant, enthralling country, with exceptional food, music, art, and outstanding natural beauty, both inland as well as the beautiful beaches along its coastline (there’s nearly 800 miles of coastline and around 200 beaches).
With so much on offer, and so many incredible luxury hotels and resorts to stay at in and around Punta Cana you can see why it’s such a popular Caribbean travel destination.
If you love the Caribbean as much as we do and would like to explore some of the other islands too, and get some inspiration for where to stay, take a look at our collection of the best luxury Caribbean resorts and hotels to stay at, as well as our guide to the best Caribbean islands to visit for ultimate indulgence.
Have you been to Punta Cana? Where did you stay, and which beaches did you visit? If you had the trip of a lifetime let us know so we can add your favourite beaches to the list of the best beaches in Punta Cana below. Tell us about your experiences and let’s raise the profile of the places that are truly unforgettable. Contact us and let us know.
For more beautiful beaches and beach resorts take a look at the best Nicaragua beaches and these stunning beachfront luxury hotels in Boracay.
Wild Bay Co is as much a celebration of the people who make these incredible experiences possible, as it is a celebration of the luxury resorts and hotels themselves. If you’ve stayed somewhere outstanding that deserves recognition for its exceptional attention to detail as well as its stunning setting then contact us and let us know.
White sands and turquoise waters.
Bavaro Beach
One of the most beautiful, and popular, white sand beaches in Punta Cana, with turquoise water and soft white sand backed by palm trees, mangroves, hotels and resorts. Regularly featured on lists of the best beaches in the Caribbean, and the world.
Beautiful white sand beach
Bavaro Beach is one of the most popular stretches of sand in the Dominican Republic, and for good reason. At around 12 walkable miles long Bavaro Beach, or Playa Bavaro, is one of the longest, and most beautiful, white sand beaches in the Caribbean. Widely regarded as one of best beaches in Punta Cana, it has attracted a wide selection of restaurants, bars, hotels, and resorts.
Some of the 5 star hotels to choose from on or nearby Bavaro beach, include Dreams Royal Beach Punta Cana, Barceló Bávaro Beach, TRS Turquesa Hotel, The Reserve at Paradisus Punta Cana, and Meliá Punta Cana Beach.
Fine white sand and wonderful views of the emerald sea.
Juanillo Beach
Located in the upmarket Cap Cana section of Punta Cana, Juanillo Beach is known for its more rustic, exclusive vibe, as well as its shallow turquoise waters and fine white sands.
Blissful beachlife
Juanillo Beach is a little further south along the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic from Punta Cana, and is located in Cap Cana, known for its upscale resorts and hotels. The beach itself is lined with palm trees and fronted by shallow, turquoise water.
You’ll find luxury resorts Eden Roc Cap Cana, Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana, and the highly acclaimed, and one of the best hotels in the Dominican Republic, Tortuga Bay Hotel at Puntacana Resort & Club, in this area or nearby. Juanillo Beach is known to have a more rustic, quieter and more exclusive feel and regularly features on lists of the best beaches in Punta Cana.
Some of the best beaches in the world.
Soana Island
Soana Island is a breathtakingly beautiful tropical paradise off the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, and its beaches are widely recognised as some of the best beaches anywhere in the world.
Paradise island
Saona Island is a 110 square kilometre paradise island and protected nature reserve located just of the south-east coast of the Dominican Republic, so a bit further south from Punta Cana.
It’s a popular destination for tourists on catamaran and boat trips, but there’s a reason so many make the journey. The beaches here are jaw-droppingly pretty, which is why the island has been used as the lush and exotic backdrop in some major movies, including The Blue Lagoon and Pirates of the Caribbean.
The beaches on Saona Island aren’t actually in Punta Cana, but they’re within reach, and worth a day trip.
A unique stretch of Caribbean shore with white sand, tranquil coves, and glittering turquoise waters.
Bayahibe Beach
Bayahibe Beach is located on the Caribbean Sea on the southside of the Dominican Republic. The Hilton La Romana resort offers great access to this beautiful stretch of the coast.
Spectacular Caribbean beach
Bayahibe Beach, or Playa Bayahibe, is located to the southeast of La Romana on the south of the Dominican Republic, on the Caribbean Sea. It’s known for its long sandy beach and calming Caribbean waters. It can get lively on weekends however, and the treelined private beach of the Hilton La Romana, just 150 yards from Bayahibe Beach, is arguably the best stretch of shore to enjoy this idyllic beach, with its small coves, rock pools, pristine white sand and exquisite turquoise waters exclusively for guests of the 5 star resort.
Looking across the sand at sunrise or sunset makes a particularly stunning picture, and a small pier jutting out into the turquoise waters is a good viewing spot.
A stunning Caribbean adventure island with idyllic white sand shores and turquoise seas.
Catalina Island
A former pirate hideout Catalina Island is a beguiling tropical paradise off the south coast of the Dominican Republic, with postcard-perfect white sand beaches backed by rows of swaying palm trees.
Turquoise tranquility
Catalina Island is most famous for its pirate history and its outstanding natural beauty. Pirates were known to hide off the coast of the island to ambush Spanish ships sailing to and from Santo Domingo. Most recently, infamous Scottish pirate captain William Kidd’s lost treasure ship, the Quedagh Merchant, was found in 2007, incredibly in crystal-clear shallow waters just off the shore of Catalina island.
It’s also known for its lush foliage, stunning coral reefs, and bright white sand beaches. It’s a popular attraction for visitors and known as a more tranquil but no less beautiful destination to Soana.
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